Vehicle-axle.



J. E. HEDGES.

VEHICLE AXLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3,1912.

1,053,810, Patented Feb. 18, 1913.

WITNESSES INVENTOR fl gj wm Jamey f. fieaqea BY C .LGAM

ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOORAPII 60., win: NNNNNNNNNN c.

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. HEDGES, 0F WINTERPOGK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-TENTH T0 JOHN A. CHALKLEY AND ONE-TENTH TO HORACE L. CHALKLEY, BOTH OF WINTERPOCK,

VIRGINIA.

VEHICLE-AXLE.

Specification of Letters'Patent.

Patented Feb. 18,1913.

Application filed January 3, 1912. Serial No. 669,168.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES E. Hnoons, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of WVinte-rpock, in the county of Chester'- field, State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vehicle-Axles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in that class of vehicle axles having detachable journals or spindles, and particularly in that class in which the axle ends are slotted and the journals or spindles provided with shanks ada ted to fit in such slots.

The chief objects of my invention are to provide a more easily eflected and a more secure automatic engagement, and to avoid weakening the axle by the construction required to effect such engagement.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective View of one end of an axle provided with the improved spindle; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the spindle detached; Fig. 3 is a similar View of the end of the axle; Fig. 4: is a perspective view of a modified form of spindle.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3 the axle 1 is of usual form, approximately square in cross section, and each end of the axle is provided with a longitudinally extending vertical slot 2 extending from the end of the axle, and the slot is tapering, gradually increasing in width from the inner end to the outer. The slot is of greatest length at the upper face of the axle, so that the end wall thereof is inclined outwardly from above downwardly. The spindle 4 is provided with a shank 5, shaped to fit the slot 2, the shank gradually decreasing in width toward the end remote from the spindle proper. The end '7 of the shank remote from the spindle proper is beveled or inclined downwardly and inwardly to fit against the end 3 of the slot. and the usual bearing collar 8 is provided for engagement by the inner end of the hub between the spindle proper and the shank. The journal or spindle 5 is provided with a shoulder 9, and a shoulder 10 is formed on each side of the shank adjacent to its collar 8. The ends 11 of the axle at the sides of the slot are shaped to fit against the shoulders, both shoulders and ends being perpendicular as shown. The locking device consists of a lug 12 at each side of the shank, and a notch 13 for engaging the lug on each side of the slot on the under side of the axle. Each of the shoulders is integral with the axle and is an extension from the lower end of the adjacent shoulder 10, and is connected thereto by a rib H. Each of the lugs has a perpendicular inner face 15 and an in clined outer face 16, which meets the upper edge of the rib and merges into the said edge. The notch 13 is shaped to fit the lug, having a perpendicular side 17, and an inclined side 18, and the axle is cut away on each side of the slot at the outer side of the notch to receive the rib let. of the spindle. The axle is supported by the lugs and by the ribs, andit will be evident that the engagement of the two inclined surfaces 16 of the spindle and 18 of the axle will tend to draw the spindle toward the axle. Thus the more weight on the axle, the more closely the parts will interlock. and the engagement of the inner end 7 of the spindle with the inclined seat 3 at the inner end of the slot will prevent any tendency to angular movement of the parts on the lugs, that is, the said engagement will hold the spindle and the axle in alinement.

The lug 15) fitsinto a recess 20 onthe under face of the axle on the adjacent side of the slot. The lug and recess assist in holding the parts in alinement, making the connection a three point suspension, instead of a two point. Since the lug 19 is between thelug 12 and the end 7 of the shank, the strain upon the shank, or upon the slotted portion of the axle, is lessened, and the spindle as a whole may be inclined with respect to the axle, to impart cant to the wheels. This is often desirable to make the wheels track where wanted, and where ordinarily the tread of the vehicle would be too wide or too narrow. To obtain this adjustment, the end 7 of the spindle is lifted away from the surface 3. and a block or key is inserted between the said end and inclined surface. To obtain the upper adjustn'ient of spindle 5, the end 7 of the shank may be filed or cut away, or the surface 3 may be so cut to permit the spindle to move upward slightly with respect to the axle. The lug 19 is still in engagement with the recess, the said lug and recess forming a species of pivotal connection. It will be obvious that the connection so arranged is as firm as when arranged in the usual manner, while at the same time some cant is imparted to the adjacent wheel. Both spindles may be so arranged, thus permitting of a considerable change in the position or inclination of the wheels.

The construction shown in Fig. at is the same as that shown in Fig. 2 with the exception that the lug 21 adjacent to the shoulders 10 has its inner face 22 perpendicular, and the outer face 23 inclined. The lug occupies the same relative position as lug 19 and is at the lower face of the shank. The axle is provided with a recess 24, shaped to fit lug 21, and the said lug and recess, while furnishing a third suspension point, also assist to lock the axle and the spindle together. The lug 21 cooperates with lug 12 and supplements the action of the said lug in draw ing the parts together.

Then the parts become worn, the lug 12, and lug 21 when used, compensate for the wear by drawing the parts together, so that they are always firmly in contact. The spindles are quickly and easily attached and removed without necessitating any operation upon the axle connections. In other words, in order to attach the spindle it is only necessary to remove the cross-bars 28 of the clips and to insert the shank of the spindle upward and at the same time slide it inward. It is obvious that to remove a spindle, the operation is exactly reversed.

In use, the bar forming the axle proper has superposed on the upper face thereof a facing 25 of wood, suitably shaped and ornaniented, the ends of the facing abutting against the collars 8. The shaft clip 26 is secured to the axle and the facing, and the facing is held to the axle bar by clips 27. The said clips 27 are U-shaped and are placed with the arms of the clip on each side of the facing and axle bar, with the body of the clip engaging the upper face of the facing. Across bar 28 has a perforation at each end for receiving an arm, and the said bar is transversely arranged on the lower face of the axle. Nuts 29 are threaded onto the arms below the bar. This is a feature of importance in the finished vehicle, since the clips, which are finished with the axle, are not displaced. To place the spindle, the shank is inserted in the wide portion of the slot from below, and pushed inwardly and upwardly, and all of the elements fit tooutwardly, a spindle having a tapered shank adapted to fit said slot, its inner end being inclined downwardly and outwardly, also having a shoulder on each side for engagement by the axle, and an adjacent lateral lug located near the lower edge of the shank and having its upper face inclined downwardly and toward the spindle and its rear face vertical, the axle having corresponding notches in the under side to receive and interlock with the lugs, said notches being inclined I downwardly and outwardly on one side and vertically 0n the inner side, and clips having removable cross-bars for securing the axle and spindle shank together, as described.

2. In combination, an axle having at each end a vertical slot, the inner end of the slot being inclined downwardly and outwardly, a spindle having a shank fitting the slot and having a shoulder at each side of the shank for engagement by the axle, and having a lateral lug adjacent to each shouldernearthe lower face of the shank, each of the said lugs having a substantially vertical inner face and an outer face inclined downwardly and outwardly, the axle being cut away on each side of the slot to receive the lug, the shank having a second pair of lugs intermediate the first-named pair and the inner end of the shank, each of the said lugs being of segmental shape and having its curved face upward, the axle having a recess on each side of the slot for engagement by theadjacent lug.

JAMES E. HEDGES. Vitnesses WM. C. Wns r, ROLAND GARRETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

